I recently purchased a 1985 500SL.
I is going to need some work but a the moment my biggest problem is the Automatic transmission.
It had an intermittent issue with not being able to put the shifter in the Reverse, Park and in the 2dn gear position but other wise it appeared to be shifting fine.
I had the gear shift bushings replaced which at first appeared to address the issue. Also transmission fluid was added to bring it to the correct level.

Then when I was driving the car the other day it suddenly would not shift gears anymore accept at very high RPMs. The only way the car now shifts gears is if I rev the car upto 4500 rpm. I have since stopped driving the car and the issue of not being able to put the car in Park or reverse has returned as well.

I noticed that the tranmission cooling hoses connected to the radiator are leaking transmission fluid but am not sure if that may be related to the shifting issue.
I am wondering if this is an indicator of a serious transmission problem or if it is something that could be fixed without dropping the transmission.

I have gone ahead and ordered a new modulator, cooling hoses and transmission filter but am concerned the replacing those items will not address the problem and I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions,

I have gone ahead and ordered a new modulator, cooling hoses and transmission filter but am concerned the replacing those items will not address the problem and I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions,

Thanks,

I think that you are on the right track. These are things that need to be done anyways and will probably cure your problem.

Unknown car? I would change ALL fluids and filters so that I have a benchmark point.

Thanks for the suggestions. The parts have come in. I will follow up once we have flushed the transmission, installed the modulator the filter and hoses. hopefully this will take care of the issues.
Thanks

I have a 2000 C230 Kompressor and it has 155,000 miles. Today when I was driving home I went to stop at a red light (was going about 40-45 mphs) and when I applied the brakes I felt a jump when the transmission downshifted at about 15-20 mphs.

I have a 2000 C230 Kompressor and it has 155,000 miles. Today when I was driving home I went to stop at a red light (was going about 40-45 mphs) and when I applied the brakes I felt a jump when the transmission downshifted at about 15-20 mphs.

I have a 2000 C230 Kompressor and it has 155,000 miles. Today when I was driving home I went to stop at a red light (was going about 40-45 mphs) and when I applied the brakes I felt a jump when the transmission downshifted at about 15-20 mphs.